Trailer and housing system

ABSTRACT

A housing and trailer system comprising a trailer and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing and may be positioned on friction-reducing members that reduce friction between the housing and trailer. The reduction of friction facilitates the housing to slide more efficiently on the trailer. A safety lever and linkage system operates to safely move roof support structures and raise/lower the upper housing. An adjustable cargo system is attached to a roof on the housing. The adjustable cargo system is adjustable to receive and/or secure different sizes of cargo.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional patent application is a continuation of andclaims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/485,927, entitled “TRAILER AND HOUSING SYSTEM”, filed on Apr. 12,2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/321,450 filed on Apr. 12, 2016, and entitled “HAUL TRAILER WITHELEVATING ROOF.” The entireties of both above-identified patentapplications are hereby incorporated by reference into the presentnon-provisional patent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mobile housing system, e.g. atravel trailer, camper trailer, work trailer, food trailer, concessiontrailer, hunting outfitter, military trailer, or the like. Inparticular, embodiments of the present invention are directed to atrailer and housing system with a housing that may be removed from thetrailer, friction-reducing members that enable the weight of the housingto be adjusted/distributed on the trailer, an elevating roof with asafety linkage system, and/or an adjustable cargo rack.

BACKGROUND

Mobile housing trailers, e.g. travel trailers and camper trailers,provide home-like amenities in a variety of locations, especially remotelocations. These trailers are often pulled behind motorized vehicles toremote locations where home-like amenities would not otherwise beavailable. Some of these home-like amenities include a stove-top, a sinkwith running water, electricity, lighting, etc. Since these trailers areoften being moved from one location to another, there is a need for amobile housing trailer that provides some of these amenities in the mostcompact form possible. There is also a need for mobile housing trailerthat is adjustable to accommodate various hauling and livingcircumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided atransportable housing system comprising a lower housing, an upperhousing, one or more support structures, and an actuator. The upperhousing is vertically shiftable relative to the lower housing, and theupper housing is vertically shiftable between a lowered position and araised position. The support structures are associated with the upperhousing and shiftable in and out of a support configuration. The supportstructures are also configured to be shifted to the supportconfiguration when the upper housing is shifted from the loweredposition to the raised position. In the support configuration, thesupport structures are configured to support the upper housing in theraised position. The actuator is associated with the support structuresand configured to disengage the support structures from the supportconfiguration to permit lowering of the upper housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided atrailer and housing system for being pulled behind a vehicle. Thetrailer and housing system comprises a trailer and a housing. Thetrailer includes a frame having a front end and a back end, a set ofwheels supporting the frame on the ground, and one or morefriction-reducing members configured to be slidably attached to theframe. The housing is configured to be removably secured to the trailer.Additionally, the housing is configured to be positioned on thefriction-reducing members allowing the housing and friction-reducingmembers to be adjusted forward towards the front end of the frame andadjusted back towards the back end of the frame.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided amethod for securing and adjusting a housing on a trailer. The methodcomprises positioning the housing above the trailer. The trailercomprises a frame having a front end and a back end, a set of wheelssupporting said frame on the ground, and a plurality offriction-reducing members configured to be slidably attached to theframe. The method additionally comprises securing the housing to thefriction-reducing members and adjusting the housing with respect to thetrailer such that the housing and the friction reducing members slideforward toward the front end of the frame or slide back towards the backend of the frame.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with referenceto the following drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a front end of the trailer with gatesfolded up in an upright position in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a back end of the trailer from FIG. 1,with the gates folded down in a flat position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trailer from FIGS. 1-2 and a housingpositioned thereon to form a trailer and housing system, with thehousing extended in a camping mode;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the trailer and housing systemfrom FIG. 3, each with the housing contracted in a travel mode, withFIG. 4A illustrating the housing being separated from the trailer, andwith FIG. 4B illustrating the housing being positioned on the trailer;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, broken away view of a portion of the back endof the trailer from FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 6 is a lower front left perspective, broken away view of a portionof the lower housing from the trailer and housing system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a back right assembly view of a tab on a lower portion of thehousing from the trailer and housing system of FIG. 3, particularlyillustrating the housing being securable to a trailer slot formed in thetrailer from FIG. 3 by way of a friction-reducing member;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway isometric view of a back right corner of the trailerand housing system from FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of a lower portion of the housingfrom FIG. 3, particularly illustrating top lower housing supportelements and friction-reducing members;

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the housing from FIG. 3,particularly illustrating legs supporting the housing, and furtherillustrating of doors and awnings of the housing;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the housing from FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top schematic plan view of an interior of the housing fromFIG. 3;

FIG. 13A is a back perspective view of the housing from FIG. 10, withupper walls extended to function as awnings;

FIG. 13B is a lower back perspective broken away view of an upperportion of the housing from FIG. 10;

FIG. 13C is an assembly view of a lateral arm and a sleeve configured toextend or contract the upper walls as awnings, as is illustrated inFIGS. 13A and 13B;

FIG. 14 is a back vertical cross section of the housing from FIG. 10,particularly illustrating hydraulic cylinders lowered, such that thehousing is in a travel mode;

FIG. 15 is a lower isometric partial cross section view of the housingfrom FIG. 4A, particularly illustrating a linkage system associated withroof support structures positioned in a horizontal position for travelmode;

FIG. 16 is a lower isometric partial cross section view of the housingfrom FIG. 15, particularly illustrating the linkage system associatedwith the roof support structures positioned at approximately a 45 degreeangle, such that the housing is being illustrated transitioning from thetravel mode to a camping mode, or vice versa;

FIG. 17 is a lower isometric partial cross section view of the housingfrom FIGS. 15-16, particularly illustrating the linkage systemassociated with the roof support structures positioned in a verticalposition for the camping mode;

FIG. 18 is a front left perspective view of cargo legs of the housingshown in FIG. 3, with front cargo legs shown in a forward position andback cargo legs shown in a rearward position;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the cargo from FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a front left perspective view of the cargo legs from FIGS.18-19, particularly illustrating the front cargo legs in a rearwardposition and the back cargo legs in a rearward position;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the cargo legs from FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front left perspective view of the cargo legs from FIGS.18-21, particularly illustrating the front cargo legs in a rearwardposition and the back cargo legs in a forward position;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the cargo legs from FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front left perspective view of the cargo legs from FIG.18-23, particularly illustrating cargo extensions being extended; and

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the cargo legs from FIG. 24.

The drawing figures do not limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention references theaccompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describeaspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled inthe art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized andchanges can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined only by theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled.

It should be understood that the following is not intended to be anexclusive list of defined terms. Other definitions may be provided inthe foregoing description, such as, for example, when accompanying theuse of a defined term in context.

As used herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” mean one or more.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itselfor any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination, B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and “comprise” areopen-ended transition terms used to transition from a subject recitedbefore the term to one or more elements recited after the term, wherethe element or elements listed after the transition term are notnecessarily the only elements that make up the subject.

As used herein, the terms “having,” “has,” and “have” have the sameopen-ended meaning as “comprising,” “comprises,” and “comprise” providedabove.

As used herein, the terms “including,” “include,” and “included” havethe same open-ended meaning as “comprising,” “comprises,” and “comprise”provided above.

In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or“embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to areincluded in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separatereferences to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” inthis description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and arealso not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Forexample, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment mayalso be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included.Thus, the technology can include a variety of combinations and/orintegrations of the embodiments described herein.

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally related to ahousing and trailer system comprising a trailer and a housing. Thehousing may be removed from the trailer and self-supported by aplurality of legs. The housing may also be positioned onfriction-reducing members that reduce friction between the housing andtrailer. The reduction of friction facilitates the housing to be moreefficiently adjusted (e.g., by sliding) on the trailer so that a usermay distribute the weight of the housing on the trailer. The housing mayalso comprise a safety lever and a linkage system, whereby the user maysafely actuate the lever while standing outside the housing. The housingmay comprise an upper housing and a lower housing, with the upperhousing being vertically shiftable relative to the lower housing.Actuating the lever may actuate a linkage system so as to cause roofsupport structures, which support the upper housing in the raisedposition, to disengage to permit the upper housing to lower. The usermay desire to disengage the roof support structures from outside thehousing while the roof is elevating or lowering. The housing system mayalso comprise an adjustable cargo rack that may be adapted toaccommodate various shapes, sizes, and quantities of cargo.

FIG. 1 depicts a housing and trailer system 10 according to embodimentsof the present invention. The housing and trailer system 10 comprises atrailer 12 and a housing 14. The trailer 12 may be configured fortransporting the housing 14 and miscellaneous goods, specificallycamping goods, such as all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), kayaks, coolers,tents, firewood, etc. Another vehicle, e.g. a motor vehicle, may tow thetrailer 12 transporting the housing 14 and goods.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the trailer 12 may include a frame 16 having afront end 18 and a back end 20. In various embodiments, the front end 18may be 64 inches wide by 47 inches long and the back end may be 60%inches wide by 72½ inches long. Hereinafter, all directionaldescriptions are from the perspective of a user positioned at the backend 20 of the trailer 12 and facing the front end 18 of the trailer 12.The frame 16 may be formed from various metals, e.g., steel, iron,aluminum, and the like. The components defining the frame 16 may beformed out of sections of sheet metal, cut tubes, c-channel, and otherframe structures readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.Such components may be secured together by welding, fasteners, and/orother methods of attachment.

A set of wheels 22 may be positioned about an axis 24 and attached tothe frame 16 so as to support the frame above the ground. In someembodiments, the wheels 22 may be connected to each other by an axle(defining the axis) and connected to the frame 16 by a suspension. Thetrailer 12 may have single axle, dual axle, tandem axle, or plurality ofaxles for connecting the wheels 22. In a preferable embodiment, anaxle-less suspension system may connect the wheels 22 to the frame 16.This axle-less system is beneficial for traveling off-road because itprovides maximum ground clearance for the trailer 12.

The front end 18 of the frame 16 may include a removable deck plate 26positioned on top of the frame 16. The removable deck plate 26 mayfunction as a floor so goods may be placed on top of the deck plate 26.The front end 18 and deck plate 26 may form any shape and be surroundedby one or more gates 28 defining a perimeter of the front end 18. Insome embodiments, the front end 18 and deck plate 26 form the shape of apentagon having a gate 28 for each of the five sides.

The gates 28 may be solid or mesh, and the top of each gate 28 may haveone or more strap brackets 30 welded or otherwise attached on a top sideof each gate 28. Straps or the like may be secured to the strap brackets30 and secured to the goods and/or the housing 14 in order to hold theseitems in place while the trailer 12 is moving. The gates 28 may behingedly attached to the trailer frame 16 and may fold up and downdepending on the configuration desired by the user. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the gates 28 may fold up to an upright position substantiallyperpendicular to the deck plate 26 or frame 16. Once the gates 28 areupright, the user may insert a locking mechanism to lock the gates 28 inthe upright position. In some embodiments, each gate 28 may have a lockreceiver 32 on one or more sides of the gate 28. When the gates 28 arein an upright position and the lock receivers 32 corresponding toadjacent gates 28 are aligned, then a locking pin may be insertedthrough each lock receiver 32, which locks the adjacent gates 28together in an upright position. When all the gates 28 are in an uprightposition, the gates 28 may form an enclosure surrounding the front end18 of the trailer 12. The enclosure may help contain or secure goods,e.g., a cooler and firewood, in the front end 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gates 28 may fold down in a flat positionsubstantially parallel to the deck plate 26 or frame 16. When the gates28 are folded to this flat position, a greater floor surface area willbe available in the front end 18. For example, when the gates 28 aredown, the deck plates 26 and gates 28 together may form a trailer floor.Such an arrangement may be beneficial for transporting large goods, suchas an ATV, that may be too large to fit in the front end 18 when thegates 28 are in the upright position, but may fit when the gates 28 arelaid flat in the down position. In addition, the folding functionalityof the gates 28 may facilitate loading/unloading goods on the trailer12.

The back end 20 of the frame 16 may include a rear drop-down deckconfigured for receiving the housing 14. In some embodiments, the backend 20 may include a first set 34 of trailer support structurespositioned perpendicular to the wheel axis 24 that define an outerperimeter of the frame 16 and/or back end 20. The back end 20 may alsoinclude a second set 36 of trailer support structures attached to thefirst set 34 such that the second set 36 is perpendicular to the firstset 34 and parallel to the axis 24. In some embodiments, the trailersupport structures may be bars, tubes, beams, c-channel and/or the like.Additional trailer support structures, e.g. c-channel, may be weldedonto the frame 16.

The trailer 12 may include removable fenders 38 that provide additionalversatility for the trailer 12. For example, the fenders 38 may obstructthe loading or unloading of certain cargo, so the fenders 38 may beremoved to eliminate the obstruction. The trailer 12 may also include aremovable tongue 40 extending distally from the front end 18 of thetrailer 12. The length of the removable tongue 40 may be increased byfastening an extension to a distal end of the tongue 40. The tongue 40may also include a tongue jack for raising or lowering the tongue 40 andtrailer 12. The trailer 12 may also be equipped with standard lighting,safety chains, and electric brakes as would be readily apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art.

The trailer 12 may include an electric plug. The electric plug may be afemale electric plug, or more specifically, a female six pole roundtrailer end plug. In some embodiments, the plug may be located on theback end 20 of the trailer 12. Specifically, the plug may be located onthe trailer's 12 rear driver-side taillight housing. The plug mayreceive and/or connect its counterpart plug to provide an electricalconnection to the housing 14. More specifically, the plug may provide anelectrical connection to the housing's taillights and charge thehousing's battery, among other functions that are common for trailerplugs and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Turning to the housing 14 depicted in FIG. 3, the housing 14 may includea lower housing 44 and an upper housing 46. The upper housing 46 mayhave a longer perimeter than the lower housing 44, which may allow thelower housing 44 to be recessed within the upper housing 46. It iscontemplated that in alternative embodiments, the lower housing 44 mayhave a greater perimeter than the upper housing 46, which may allow theupper housing 46 to be recessed within the lower housing 44.

The upper housing 46 and lower housing 44 may be configured to operatein two modes: a travel mode (See FIGS. 4A and 4B) and a camping mode(See FIG. 3). The descriptive names for these modes are not intended tolimit the functionality of the modes to any specific use. In someembodiments, the upper housing may be in a raised position relative tothe lower housing, e.g. camping mode. The upper housing may also be in alowered position relative to the lower housing, e.g. travel mode. Theupper housing 46 may be hydraulically actuated (as described in moredetail below) to transition the housing 14 from camping mode to travelmode and vice versa. The upper housing 46 may be actuated such that thevolume of the housing 14 in camping mode may be at least 1.25×, 1.5×,1.75×, 2×, 2.25×, 2.5×, or 2.75× greater than the volume of the housing14 in travel mode and/or no more than 6×, 5×, 4× or 3× greater than thevolume of the housing 14 in travel mode. Additionally, the height of thehousing 14 (including lower and upper housing) in camping mode may be79¼ inches. Travel mode may be preferable when the housing 14 is beingtransported because travel mode may reduce the housing 14 to its mostcompact form. In travel mode, the upper housing 46 may be lowered tosubstantially surround the lower housing 44 such that the upper andlower housings 46 and 44 are positioned at substantially the sameheight. In the camping mode, the upper housing 46 may be raised so as tobe positioned above the lower housing 44. Furthermore, the interiorspace of the housing 14 is enlarged, such that the camping mode may bepreferable when the housing 14 is stationary. The upper housing 46 maybe positioned above the lower housing 44 such that the bottom of theupper housing 46 slightly overlaps with the top of the lower housing 44.It is foreseen that the housing 14 may be used for other purposes in thetwo example modes given. For example, the housing 14 may be usedvice-versa, that is, it may be used to travel in camping mode and it maybe used to camp in travel mode. Additionally, maintenance may beperformed on the housing 14 in either mode. The uses for the housing 14are not limited to the aforementioned examples.

In addition to the aforementioned expandable/contractible housingfeatures, the housing 14 may also slide back and forth on the trailer 12in order to distribute and/or stabilize the weight of the housing 14 onthe trailer 12. For example, the housing 14 may shift/slide forwardtoward a front end 18 of the trailer or the housing may shift/slide backtoward a back end 20 of the trailer 12. The features enabling theshiftable/slidable housing functionality will be described in moredetail below.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the frame 16 of the trailer 12 may include one ormore slots 48 cut in a top end of the frame 16. Furthermore, the firstset of trailer support structures 34 may include one or more slots 48cut in a top end of the trailer support structures 34. In someembodiments, a first set of c-channel may comprise one or more slots 48cut in the top of the c-channel. Further embodiments may includec-channel with a slot 48 in its top end, and the c-channel may be weldedonto the first set 34 and/or second set 36 of trailer supportstructures. The slots 48 may be an elongated aperture. The slots 48 mayspan about the length of one of the trailer support structures 34 and 36and/or c-channel structures. This elongated shape may be beneficial topermit the slots 48 to receive a fastener, e.g. a bolt, that secures thehousing 14 to the trailer 12. When the fastener has secured the housing14 to the trailer 12, then the fastener may slide within the length ofthe slot 48 thereby allowing the housing 14 to also move and/or slideabout the length of the slot 48. In other embodiments, the fastener maylock the housing 14 in place, such as via a nut threaded on the bolt, toprevent the housing 14 from sliding with respect to the trailer 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, embodiments of the present invention mayinclude one or more friction-reducing members 50 that may be planar, mayinclude a planar section, and may be formed in various shapes, e.g.square or rectangular, as required. The friction-reducing members 50 mayreduce friction between the housing 14 and the trailer 12 to facilitatethe housing 14 sliding on the trailer 12. In some embodiments, thefriction-reducing members 50 may comprise engineering thermoplasticsand/or synthetic polymers, and more specifically, the friction-reducingmembers 50 may comprise polyoxymethylene, acetal, polyacetal,polyformaldehyde, polyethylene, and/or ultra-high-molecular-weightpolyethylene. In various embodiments, the friction-reducing members 50may have an aperture 52 for receiving a fastener, and the members 50 maybe positioned between the housing 14 and the frame 16. The trailer 12may include friction-reducing members 50, or the friction-reducingmembers 50 may be separate from the trailer 12. The friction-reducingmembers 50 may be placed on the frame 16, such as on the first set oftrailer support structures 34 or the c-channel structures, such that theaperture 52 of the friction-reducing member 50 is substantially alignedwith the slot 48. The friction-reducing members 50 may be placed in ahorizontal position or vertical position on the frame 16. For example,the friction-reducing members 50 may contact the floor of the housing 14or one or more of the walls of the housing 14. The friction-reducingmembers 50 may be secured to the frame 16 of the trailer 12 via afastener. The fastener may be inserted and fastened through the housing14, the friction-reducing members 50, and into the slot 48, therebysecuring the housing 14 to the frame 16 and/or trailer 12.

A tab 54 with an aperture 56 may be included in the lower housing 44 andmay be attached to one of the exterior walls of the lower housing 44. Aside of the tab 54 may be attached to the housing 44 such that the tab54 is cantilevered and projects outwardly from the housing 44. The tab54 may also be attached such that the aperture 56 is oriented verticallyand may be configured to receive a fastener vertically inserted throughthe aperture 56.

The user may improve towing for the trailer 12 by adjusting the positionand weight of the housing 14, which may reduce the forces being appliedto the tongue 40 of the trailer 12. Adjusting the position of thehousing 14 may also help distribute the weight of the housing 14 on thetrailer 12. The user may also slide the housing 14 to create more roomon the front end 18 of the trailer 12 for larger items. The tabs 54,friction-reducing members 50, and slots 48 may together enable thehousing to shift/slide back and forth on the trailer 12. As illustratedin FIG. 7, the housing 14 may be positioned above the trailer 12 suchthat the tabs 54 of the housing 14, the friction-reducing members 50,and the slots 48 of the trailer 12 are vertically aligned. For example,the friction-reducing members 50 may be placed over the slots 48 on theframe 16, and the tabs 54 may be placed on the friction reducing members50. The fastener may then be inserted through the tabs' aperture 56, thefriction-reducing members' aperture 52, and the slots 48 to secure thethree components together. Once the tabs 54 are on the friction-reducingmembers 50 and the friction-reducing members 50 are on the trailer 12,then the housing may slide on the trailer 12 as the friction-reducingmembers 50 reduce friction between the housing 14 and the trailer 12.The distance the housing 14 shifts/slides may be limited by the lengthof the slots 48 because the fastener may prevent the housing 14 frommoving further once the fastener reaches an end of the slot 48.

With respect to the lower housing 44 depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, thelower housing 44 may comprise a lower housing frame 58, a plurality ofwalls 60, 62, 64, doors 66, and a floor 68. The lower housing 44 mayhave a width of 60¼ inches, a length of 72¼ inches, and a height of 50inches. The doors 66 may have a height of about 46 inches and a width ofabout 28 inches. The lower housing frame 58 may include upright supportelements 70, bottom lower housing support elements 72, and top lowerhousing support elements 74, 78, and 80. Each of these support elementsmay comprise metal, e.g. steel or aluminum. The support elements mayalso comprise metal tubes, c-channel structures, beams, and otherhousing frame structures readily apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art. For example, the lower housing frame may comprise a steel frameconstruction.

The lower housing frame 58 may form a box-like structure with fourupright lower housing support elements 70 defining the four corners ofthe box-like structure. Upright lower housing support elements 70 mayalso be included on the left side and right side of the lower housing 44between the front left corner and back left corner, as well as betweenthe front right corner and back right corner. Bottom lower housingsupport elements 72 may be attached to a lower portion of one of theupright lower housing support elements 70 and then attached at the otherend to a different one of the one upright lower housing support elements70, wherein these bottom lower housing support elements 72 may togetherform a square. Likewise, top lower housing support elements 74, 78, and80 may be attached on one end to an upper portion of one of the uprightlower housing support elements 70 and then attached at the other end toa different one of the one upright lower housing support elements 70,wherein these top lower housing support elements 74, 78, and 80 maytogether form a square. The top 74, 78, and 80 and bottom 72 lowerhousing support elements may be perpendicular to the upright lowerhousing support elements 70. The top lower housing elements may comprisea front 74, left 78, and right 80 top lower housing support element.Likewise, the bottom lower housing element 72 may comprise a front,back, left, and right bottom lower housing support element. The uprightlower housing support elements 70, bottom lower housing support elements72, and top lower housing support elements 74, 78, and 80 together mayform a lower housing frame 58 for a box-like structure.

In some embodiments, the lower housing 44 may comprise three walls 60,62, and 64 and a pair of removable doors 66 that together define abox-like structure for the housing 14. The lower housing 44 may includea front lower wall 60, a left lower wall 62, a right lower wall 64, backleft and right doors 66, and the floor 68 that together form anopened-top, box-like structure. The floor 68 may include compositeflooring installed on top of plywood. The back left door may be hingedlyattached to the left lower wall 62 or upright lower housing supportelement 70, and the back right door may be attached to the right lowerwall 64 or upright lower housing support element 70. The doors 66 mayinclude a steel frame, aluminum siding, and a common locking doorhandle. It is foreseen that the walls may be straight, flat, and/orcurved, and the walls and doors together may form various shapes. Theexterior of the walls may comprise any suitable metal, e.g. aluminum,and the interior of the walls may be fully insulated with plywoodbeadboard. It is foreseen that the interior lower walls may be any wood,metal, or other wall material readily apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art.

FIG. 12 depicts a schematic plan view of components and structures thatmay be included in the lower housing 44. For example, a counter top 82may be contained within the lower housing 44 and attached to one or moreof the interior walls. The counter top 82 may comprise wood, metal,butcher block wood, aluminum, granite, and/or other known materials usedfor counter tops 82. Cabinets, shelves, toolboxes, and the like may belocated above, below, and/or beside the countertops 82.

A water tank 84 may be included inside the lower housing 44.Specifically, the water tank 84 may be located beneath the countertop 82and cabinets but above the floor 68. The water tank 84 may be plumbed toprovide water to a bar sink 86, which may be included in the counter top82. The bar sink 86 may be connected to a drain configured to carry theexcess water outside the housing 14. The water tank 84 may also beplumbed to provide water to a water port 88 that may be located in oneof the exterior walls. The water port 88 may allow access to wateroutside of the housing 14. In some embodiments, the water port 88 mayonly be accessed when the upper housing 46 is raised above the lowerhousing 44 in camping mode. In travel mode, the upper housing 46 wallsmay slide over and cover the water port 88 when the upper housing 46 islowered down over the lower housing 44.

As depicted in FIG. 6, some friction-reducing members 50 may be attachedat a lower portion of the left lower wall 62 and the right lower wall64, and the members 50 may be oriented upright and parallel to the lowerwalls 62 and 64. Other friction reducing members 50 may be attachedbeneath the left lower wall 62 and right lower wall 64 such that themembers 50 are generally parallel to the floor 68 and perpendicular tothe walls 62 and 64. Similar to the aforementioned friction-reducingmembers 50 on the trailer 12, these members 50 may reduce the frictionbetween the housing 14 and the trailer 12 so that the housing 14 mayslide more easily on the trailer 12.

As depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, a horizontal leg receiver may beincluded in the lower housing and may be attached to the lower housing.For example, a front horizontal leg receiver 90 may be attached to theexterior of the lower front wall 60, and/or a back horizontal legreceiver 92 may be attached below the back left and right doors 66. Thehorizontal leg receiver may be a square metal tube, may include one ormore apertures, and it may be welded on the lower housing 44. Thehorizontal leg receiver may be attached to one of the walls such thatthe length of the horizontal leg receiver extends the width of the wall.The horizontal leg receiver may also be attached below the doors toserve as a weather-proof threshold for the doors. The horizontal legreceiver may be configured to slidably receive extendable legs 94.

A tow hitch 96 may be welded or otherwise attached on the bottom of theback horizontal leg receiver 92. The tow hitch 96 may be configured toreceive any receiver hitch approved by the Department of Transportationand may be configured to haul additional trailers. The tow hitch 96 mayalso be configured to receive a step attachment to help users step upinto the housing 14.

The extendable legs 94 may include a horizontal portion 98 with aperpendicular vertical portion 100 attached at the end of the horizontalportion 98. The horizontal portion 98 and vertical portion 100 may beseparated. The horizontal portion 98 may be recessed within thehorizontal leg receiver and may include a vertical leg receiver 102 atone of its ends. The vertical leg receiver 102 may be configured forreceiving the vertical portion 100. The vertical leg receiver 102 may bemetal tube oriented perpendicular to the horizontal portion 98 and mayhave a larger perimeter than the vertical portion 100 of the legs. Thevertical leg receiver 102 may include one or more apertures. Thevertical and horizontal portions 100 and 98 may also include one or moreapertures and may be a metal tube. The horizontal portions 98 may beslidably/telescopically adjusted within the horizontal leg receiver.

The legs 94 may function as a base and/or ground support for the housing14. The legs 94 may be used to lift the housing 14 off of the trailer 12and/or level the housing 14 with respect to the ground. The horizontalportion of the legs 98 may be adjusted away from the housing 14 toprovide a wider support for the housing 14. Conversely, the legs 98 maybe adjusted towards the housing 14 to provide a narrow support or makethe housing 14 more compact for transport. The vertical portion of thelegs 100 may be adjusted to increase the height of the housing 14 and/orlift the housing 14 off the trailer 12. Likewise, the vertical portionof the legs 100 may be adjusted to decrease the height of housing 14.The legs 100 can be locked in a variety of widths and heights. Forexample, when one of the apertures in the horizontal portion 98 alignswith one of the apertures in the horizontal leg receiver, a lockingmechanism, e.g. a lock pin, may be inserted through the alignedapertures to lock the horizontal portion 98 in that position. Given thatthe horizontal portion 98 may include a plurality of apertures, then thehorizontal portion 98 of the leg may be locked in a number of differentwidths depending on the spacing of the apertures. Likewise, the verticalportion 100 may be locked at a specific height when one of its aperturesaligns with one the vertical leg receiver 102 apertures. Therefore, thevertical portion 100 may be locked at a number of different heightsdepending on the spacing of its apertures.

In order to stabilize the housing 14 and remove the housing 14 from thetrailer 12, the user may begin by moving the tongue jack from ahorizontal position to vertical position so that it may engage theground. The user may then slide out and drop down the extendable legs 94on the back of the housing 14 until the back legs contact the ground.The user may slide out the legs to a desired width and increase theheight of the legs 94 and housing 14 by using a housing jack to jack upor raise the legs 94 and housing 14. The housing jack may engage thehorizontal portion 98 of the legs 98 or the horizontal leg receiver 90or 92. The housing jack may exert force on the horizontal portion of thelegs 98 or the horizontal leg receiver 90 or 92 causing the housing 14to raise higher above the ground. As the housing 14 raises, the verticalleg receiver 102 will slide over the vertical portion of the legs 100recessed within the vertical leg receiver 102. Once the housing 14 isjacked to a desirable height, the user may insert a locking pin asdiscussed to lock the height of the housing 14. After the user hasadjusted and locked the back legs 94 to a desirable height and width,the user may then raise the tongue jack until the housing is just beyondlevel with respect to the ground. The user may then slide out and dropdown the legs 94 on the front of the housing 14 and adjust the legs 94to a desirable height and width such that there are five points ofcontact among the extendable legs 94 and tongue jack. Once the legs 94are properly adjusted and locked in place to fully support the housing14, the user may move the tongue jack back into a horizontal positionand pull the trailer 12 away from the housing 14.

The lower housing 44 may include one or more brackets 106 welded orotherwise attached to the lower housing 44. The brackets 106 may beattached to the lower front wall 60, the lower left wall 62, and/or thelower right wall 64. The brackets 106 may be configured for receivingand holding a propane tank 108. The brackets 106 may also be configuredfor receiving and holding one or more storage compartments, boxes, orcontainers (collectively, “containers 110”). The containers 110 mayinclude a lid to cover and uncover the top of the container 110. Thecontainers 110 may comprise any suitable container material, e.g. steelor aluminum. In various embodiments, friction-reducing members 50 may beattached to the back of the containers 110. Specifically, thefriction-reducing members 50 may be attached at an angle to guide theupper housing 46 as it slides down between the brackets/containers106/110 and the lower housing 44.

A gas line may be connected with the propane tank 108 and plumbedthrough the exterior of the lower housing 44 such that the gas line maybe used for outdoor cooking. Specifically, the gas line may be plumbedbeneath the containers 110. The gas lines may also be plumbed from thepropane tank 108, through the exterior of the lower housing 44, and intothe interior of the lower housing 44. Gas lines, e.g. steel gas lines,may be connected to provide gas for a stove-top, refrigerator, and thelike.

One of the containers 110 may contain a battery 112. Specifically, thecontainer 110 may contain two deep cycle batteries. Electrical wiringmay be connected to the battery 112 and fed under the housing 14, e.g.,the wiring may be fed beneath the composite flooring and above theoutdoor plywood. The wiring from the battery 112 may be connected to anelectrical distribution board 114 that divides the power intosub-circuits. The wiring from any one of the sub-circuits may beconnected to lights, a refrigerator, power outlets 116, etc. The poweroutlets 116 may be located in any of the lower housing walls, upperhousing walls, floor, countertops, cabinets, and other structures withinthe housing.

As depicted in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the upper housing 46 may comprise aplurality of upper housing walls 118, 120, and 122 and a roof 124. Insome embodiments, the upper housing 46 may comprise three walls thattogether define a structure similar to the lower housing 44. The upperhousing 46 may include a front upper wall 118, a left upper wall 120,and a right upper wall 122. The left upper wall 120 and right upper wall122 have a height of 42 inches and a length or width of 74¼ inches. Thefront upper wall 118 may have a height of 42 inches and a length orwidth of 63½ inches. Some embodiments may include a back upper wall. Theupper walls may be hingedly attached to a bottom side of the roof 124,wherein the walls and roof together may form an opened-bottom, box-likestructure. One or more of the upper walls may include one or morewindows. It is foreseen that the walls may be straight, flat, and/orcurved and the walls may form various shapes. The walls may comprise anysuitable metal, e.g. aluminum.

In some embodiments, the upper housing walls 118, 120, and 122 may beattached or connected to a lateral arm 130, and the lateral arm 130 maybe attached or connected to the roof 124. A prop plate 128 may beattached to the lateral arm 130 and roof 124 to reduce stress on thelateral arm 130. In some embodiments, the upper housing walls 118, 120,and 122 may function as retractable awnings. As depicted in FIG. 13C,the lateral arm 130 may include a plurality of apertures and may attachto a bottom portion of the upper housing wall at one end and attach tothe prop plate 128 and/or roof 124 at the other end of the arm 130. Thelateral arm 130 may also comprise a sleeve 132 with a plurality ofapertures. The sleeve 132 may extend as the wall extends and retract asthe wall retracts. The upper walls may be locked at a particularposition when extended upward to function as an awning. A lockingmechanism, such as a slide pin or locking pin, may be inserted throughthe sleeve aperture and arm aperture when the two apertures are aligned.Once the locking mechanism is inserted through the aligned apertures, itwill lock the lateral arm 130 in place, which holds the position of theupper wall. The awnings (upper walls) may be locked at different anglesdepending on the spacing and number of apertures in the lateral arm 130and sleeve 132.

The roof 124 may include a roof frame 134 and roof panels 136. The roofframe 134 may comprise a metal, such as iron, or more particularly heavyangle iron. In some embodiments, the roof frame 134 forms a perimeterslightly larger than the lower housing 44 and upper housing 46 such thatthe roof frame 134 creates a weather tight and theft proof seal when theupper housing 46 is lowered into travel mode. The roof frame 134 mayalso include beams extending across the upper housing 46 to provideadditional roof support. The roof frame 134 may comprise various beams,tubes, and/or other frame structures. The roof panels 136 may comprise ametal, including aluminum, iron, and/or heavy angle iron. The roofpanels 136 may be attached on top of the roof frame 134 such that theroof 124 entirely covers the top opening of the housing 14. The roof 124may be sloped and may comprise an overhang to allow for proper drainage,e.g. rainwater runoff. Hanger brackets may be attached to the roof,which can be used for hanging the housing jack.

A plurality of folding gates 28 may be positioned around the perimeterof the roof 124. These gates 28 may help retain cargo stored on top ofthe roof 124. A plurality of brake lights may be attached to the gate 28on the back end to alert other motorists when the vehicle and/or trailer12 are braking.

As depicted in FIG. 14, one of the containers 110 may contain ahydraulic system 138 configured for actuating one, two, or morehydraulic cylinders 140. In some embodiments, the hydraulic cylinders140 are attached to the lower housing 44 at one end of the hydrauliccylinder 140 and attached to the upper housing 46 and/or roof 124 at theopposite end of the hydraulic cylinder 140. For example, a round tubemay be attached to the roof 124 and hydraulic cylinders 140 to connectthe two together. The hydraulic system 138 may include one or more usercontrols, such as buttons, switches, knobs, levers, or the like, thatmay control actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 140. The hydraulicsystem 138 may be configured to raise the roof 124 and/or upper housing46 when the user controls are selected. Conversely, the hydraulic system138 may be configured to lower the roof 124 and/or upper housing 46 whenthe user controls are selected. It is foreseen that the upper housing 46and/or roof 124 may be raised or lowered by other mechanical and/orelectrical means.

The hydraulic cylinders 140 may be housed within one of the uprightsupport elements 70. The hydraulic cylinders may be housed within metaltubing, e.g., steel rectangular tubing. The metal tubing may be hollowon a bottom end allowing moisture to escape the tubing. An attachmentmechanism, such as a steel pin, may attach the hydraulic cylinders 140to the lower housing 44 by inserting the attachment mechanism throughthe lower housing walls 62 and 64, hydraulic cylinders 140, and/or metaltubing.

As depicted in FIGS. 16, and 17, the upper housing 46 may include aplurality of roof stabilizing structures 142. The roof stabilizingstructures 142 may comprise metal, e.g. steel or aluminum. The roofstabilizing structures 142 may also comprise beams, tubes, rods,c-channel, and/or other housing frame structures readily apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art. For example, the roof stabilizingstructures 142 may comprise a steel frame construction. In embodimentshaving a housing with a box-like configuration, the upper housing 46 mayinclude four roof stabilizing structures 142—one for each corner of thebox. The roof stabilizing structures 142 may be attached to the roof 124and/or upper housing 46 and the lower housing 44. In some embodiments,the roof stabilizing structures 142 may only be attached to the roof 124and/or upper housing 46. The roof stabilizing structures 142 may beconfigured for balancing and stabilizing the upper housing 46 and roof124 as the hydraulic cylinders 140 raise or lower the upper housing 46and roof 124. The roof stabilizing structures 142 may also be configuredfor stabilizing the roof 124 and/or upper housing 46 when the housing 14is stationary and the hydraulic cylinders 140 are partially or fullyactuated in an elevated position. In travel mode, the roof stabilizingstructures 142 may be recessed within the upright support elements 70 ofthe lower housing 44, but as the upper housing 46 and roof 124 areraised, the roof stabilizing structures 142 may telescopically slide outof the upright support elements 70 of the lower housing 44 in an upwarddirection. Likewise, the roof stabilizing structures 142 maytelescopically slide down into the upright support elements 70 as thehousing 14 transitions from the raised position in camping mode to thelowered position in travel mode. In order to facilitate the roofstabilizing structures 142 telescopically sliding in the upright supportelements 70, friction-reducing members 50 may be releasably fixed to theroof stabilizing structures 142. For example, the friction-reducingmembers 50 may be releasably fixed to the roof stabilizing structures142 by countersunk screws. These friction-reducing members 50 may reducethe friction between the roof stabilizing structures 142 and uprightsupport elements 70 as the roof stabilizing structures 142telescopically slide in and out of the upright support elements 70.

As depicted in FIGS. 15-17, a plurality of roof support structures maybe hingedly attached to the roof 124 and/or upper housing 46 at one endand unattached at the opposite end of the roof support structure. Theroof support structures may comprise metal, e.g. steel or aluminum. Theroof support structures may also comprise beams, tubes, c-channel,and/or other housing frame structures readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art. For example, the roof support structures maycomprise a steel frame construction.

In some embodiments, the roof support structures are in a supportconfiguration in which they are configured to support the upper housing46 in the raised position. The roof support structures may be shiftablein and out of the support configuration and may be configured to beshifted to the support configuration when the upper housing 46 isshifted from the lowered position to the raised position. The roofsupport structures may be hingedly attached to an interior of the upperhousing 46 and may be configured to rotate in and out of the supportconfiguration. The operation for shifting the roof support structures inand out of the support configuration will be described in more detailbelow.

In box-like housing embodiments, a roof support structure may behingedly attached near each corner of the roof 124 for a total of fourroof support structures: a front right support 144, front left support146, back right support 148, and a back left support 150. A frontconnecting member 152, e.g. an axle-like rod, may connect the frontright support 144 to the front left support 146 such that when theconnecting member 152 rotates, then the associated roof supportstructures 144 and 146 may correspondingly rotate together. Likewise, aback connecting member 154 may connect the back left support structure150 to the back right support structure 148 and function in a similarmanner. When the upper housing 46 is lowered in travel mode, the roofsupport structures 144, 146, 148, and 150 may lie on top of andsubstantially parallel to the top left and right lower housing supportelements 78 and 80. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the front right roofsupport structure 144 and back right roof support structure 148 may lieon top of and substantially parallel to the right top lower housingelement 80. Likewise, the front left roof support structure 146 and backleft roof support structure 150 may lie on top of and substantiallyparallel to the top left lower housing support element 78. In thesepositions, the roof support structures are not configured to support theupper housing 46 when the upper housing 46 is in the lowered position(See FIG. 15). When the roof support structures are lying flat on thetop left and right lower housing elements, the unattached end of theroof support structure may lie near the hydraulic cylinder 140 and/orthe upright support element 70 housing the hydraulic cylinder 140.Assuming the roof support structures are horizontal when they areparallel to the top left and right lower housing support elements 78 and80, then angle of the roof support structures may gradually change (SeeFIG. 16) as the roof support structures are actuated until they reach avertical position (See FIG. 17). Furthermore, the unattached endgradually slides away from the hydraulic cylinder 140 and continuessliding away until it reaches an indentation or notch 158 in the toplower housing element 78 and/or 80 located near a corner of the housing.Thus, the notches 158 may be engaging the roof support structures whenin the support configuration.

The roof support structures may automatically move/rotate to support theupper housing 46 and engage the notches 158 in their respective cornersof the housing 14. The roof support structures may automatically supportthe upper housing 46 because as the upper housing 46 is being raised,the force exerted on the upper housing 46 affects the attached end andthe force of gravity pushing down on the unattached end may cause theunattached end to gradually slide towards the notch 158 until the roofsupport structure is oriented in a vertical position, orientedsubstantially parallel to the force of gravity, oriented parallel to theupper housing walls, and/or oriented perpendicular to the top lowerhousing support elements 78 and 80.

The indentation or notch 158 may be located near the roof stabilizingstructures 142 in each of the four corners of the housing 14. The toplower housing elements 78 and 80 may also include additionalindentations or notches 158 between the hydraulic cylinder 140 and theindentations or notches 158 located in the corners of the housing 14. Inthe event that one or more of the roof support structures 144, 146, 148,and/or 150 fail or slip out of place, these additional indentations ornotches 158 may snag the roof support structure to prevent the roofsupport structures from sliding/rotating any further, which may alsoprevent the upper housing 46 and/or roof 124 from falling any further.

The user may facilitate the process of rotating the roof supportstructures by actuating an actuator comprising a safety lever 160 thatoperates a linkage system 162 that may push or pull the roof supportstructures as described above. Once the unattached end of the roofsupport structure is settled in the notch 158, then the roof supportstructure may support the roof 124 and upper housing 46 in its uprightposition, e.g. camping mode. The roof support structures may support theroof 124 and upper housing 46 independently of the hydraulic cylinders140, which could be helpful in the event that the hydraulic system 138fails. The lever 160 may also be configured to disengage the roofsupport structures from the support configuration to permit lowering ofthe upper housing 46.

In order to lower the upper housing 46 from camping mode to travel mode,the user may actuate the safety lever 160 causing the linkage system 162to pull the roof support structures such that the unattached ends moveaway from their respective notches 158 and towards the hydrauliccylinder 140. The roof support structures may continue moving toward thehydraulic cylinder 140 until they are substantially parallel to andlying flat on the top left and right lower housing elements 78 and 80.Thus, the user may move the roof support structures to lower the roof124 and upper housing 46 while standing outside the housing 14. If theuser went inside the housing 14 to manually move the roof supportstructures to lower the roof 124 and upper housing 46, then the userwould be at risk of the roof 124 falling on top of him/her. Since thesafety lever 160 may be located near an outer perimeter of the housing14, then the user may safely stand outside the housing 14 and manipulatethe lever 160 to move the roof support structures and lower the housing14 while he/she stands safely outside.

The safety lever 160 may be attached to the upper housing 46 or roof124. Specifically, one end of the safety lever 160 may be attached to aportion of the roof 124 or upper housing 46 located above the doors 66on the back of the housing. The other end of the lever 160 may beunattached and hang in the middle of the doorway. The lever 160 mayextend downward from the roof 124 toward the floor 68 such that thelever 160 is substantially parallel to the doors 66. In someembodiments, when the lever 160 is gradually actuated upward until thelever 160 is substantially perpendicular to the doors 66, then it maycause the linkage system 162 to push the roof support structures towardsand eventually into an upright position. Thus, the safety lever 160 ispushed up and out of the doorway when the housing is transitioned tocamping mode and the unattached ends of the roof support structures arein their respective notches 158. Conversely, the safety lever 160 may begradually actuated downward until the lever 160 is substantiallyparallel with the doors 66, which may cause the linkage system 162 topull the roof support structures towards and eventually into a flatposition as previously described. Thus, in travel mode, the safety lever160 may be compact with the trailer and housing system to increaseaerodynamics.

The safety lever 160 may be connected to the linkage system 162, thelinkage system 162 may be connected to front and back connecting members152 and 154, and the connecting members 152 and 154 may be connected tothe roof support structures. The linkage system 162 may comprise aplurality of connected links. Specifically, the linkage system maycomprise six links. The links may be metal rods, bars, or the like. Alever link 164 may be connected to the lever at one end and a series oflinks at the other end. The series of links may be connected to a mainlink 166, and the main link 166 may be connected to a front link 168 anda back link 170. The front link 168 may be connected to the frontconnecting member 152 and the back link 170 may be connected to the backconnecting member 154.

In some embodiments, the linkage system 162 may operate in the followingmanner to actuate the roof support structures. When the safety lever 160is actuated upward, then the lever link 164 is pulled back toward thelever 160. When the lever link 164 is pulled back toward the lever 160,the series of links cause the main link 166 to push the front link 168and back link 170 away from the main link 166. When the front link 168and back link 170 are pushed away from the main link 166, the front link168 and back link 170 cause the corresponding connecting member 152and/or 154 to rotate such that the connected roof support structurescorrespondingly rotate to the upright position. Conversely, when thesafety lever 160 is actuated downward, then the lever link 164 is pushedaway from the lever 160. When the lever link 164 pushed away from thelever 160, the series of links cause the main link 166 to pull the frontlink 168 and back link 170 toward the main link 166. When the front link168 and back link 170 are pulled toward the main link 166, the frontlink 168 and back link 168 cause the corresponding connecting members152 and 154 to rotate such that the connected roof support structuresrotate to a horizontal position that is substantially parallel to thetop left and right lower housing support elements 78 and 80.

Turning to FIGS. 18-25, some embodiments may include a cargo rack 172attached on top of the roof 124. The cargo rack 172 may comprise metaltubing, and more specifically, the cargo rack 172 may comprise steeltubing and c-channel. The cargo rack 172 may be galvanized for enhanceddurability. The cargo rack 172 may include removable main cargo legs 174and adjustable secondary cargo supports 176. The main cargo legs 174 mayinclude a first portion 178 and a second portion 180 such that thesecond portion 180 extends away from the first portion 178 at about a 45degree angle. The main leg 174 may also include a secondary cargosupport receiver 182 located at the end of second portion 180 and may beconfigured for receiving the secondary cargo support 176.

A main cargo leg receiver 184 may be a rectangular metal tube and may bepositioned near each of the four corners of the roof 124. For example,there may be front right cargo leg receiver, a front left cargo legreceiver, a back right cargo leg receiver, and a back left cargo legreceiver. The first portion 178 of the main cargo legs 174 may beinserted into the cargo leg receivers 184. The main cargo legs 174 maybe inserted in at least two positions. In a forward position, the maincargo legs 174 may be inserted in the cargo leg receivers such that thesecond portion 180 of the legs 174 extend in a direction from back tofront. In a rearward position, the main cargo legs 174 may be insertedin the cargo leg receivers 184 such that the second portion 180 of thelegs 174 extend in a direction from front to back.

The secondary cargo supports 176 may be inserted into the secondarycargo receivers 182. For example, a cargo rack 172 may include twosecondary cargo supports 176: a front secondary cargo support may beinserted through the front left cargo support receiver and the frontright cargo support receiver. Likewise, a back secondary cargo supportmay be inserted through the back left cargo receiver and the back rightcargo receiver. The secondary cargo supports 176 and secondary cargosupport receivers 182 may be positioned such that the secondary cargosupports 176 are parallel to the front and back walls and perpendicularto the side walls.

The main cargo legs 174 may be removable in order to adjust the lengthof the cargo rack 172. The length of the cargo rack 172 is the distancefrom the front secondary cargo support to the back secondary cargosupport. In some embodiments, the cargo rack 172 may be adjusted tothree different lengths: a first length, a second length, and a thirdlength. For example, a first cargo rack length may be about eight feet,a second length may be six feet, and a third length may be four feet. Inorder to adjust the cargo rack 172 for the first length as illustratedin FIG. 18, the front main cargo legs may be positioned in the forwardposition and the back main cargo legs may be positioned in the rearwardposition. For the second length, the front and back main cargo legs maybe in a forward position, or the front and back main cargo legs may bein a rearward position as illustrated by FIG. 20. For the third lengthas illustrated by FIG. 22, the front main cargo legs may be in arearward position and the back main cargo legs may be in a forwardposition.

The secondary cargo supports 176 may comprise open-ended metal tubingand may also include a plurality of apertures therein. A cargo extension186 may be recessed within the secondary cargo support 176 and may alsoinclude a plurality of apertures therein. The cargo extension 186 may beinserted into each open end of the secondary cargo support 176. Forexample, a front right cargo extension may be inserted into a frontright open end, a front left cargo extension may be inserted into afront left open end, a back left cargo extension may be inserted into aback left end, and a back right cargo extension may be inserted into aback right end. The cargo extension 186 may include a lip 188 protrudingupward from an end of the secondary cargo support 176. The lip 188 mayhelp keep cargo contained on the cargo rack 172. The secondary cargosupports 176 may be held in place by a locking mechanism, e.g. a setbolt, inserted through an aperture in the secondary cargo receiver 182and the secondary cargo support 176.

The cargo rack 172 width may be adjusted by sliding the cargo extensions186 inward or outward, toward or away from the housing 14 respectively,as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. The cargo rack 172 may comprise afront width and a back width. The front width may be the distancebetween the lip 188 on the front left cargo extension 186 and the lip188 on the front right cargo extension 186. Likewise, the back width maybe the distance between the lip 188 on the back left cargo extension 186and the lip 188 on the back right cargo extension 186. The front andback widths may comprise a standard width, a number of intermediatewidths, and maximum width. For example, the standard width, e.g. whenthe extensions 186 are fully retracted, may be about 68 inches. Themaximum width, e.g. when the extensions 186 are fully extended, may beabout 122 inches because each extension 186 may extend up to 27 incheson each side. The cargo rack 172 may comprise a plurality ofintermediate widths between the standard width and maximum width. Theintermediate widths may be any width between the standard and maximumwidths. The cargo rack 172 may be locked at any width by inserting alocking mechanism, e.g. a set pin, through an aperture in the secondarycargo support 176 and through a corresponding aperture in the cargoextension 186.

Load dividers 190 may be inserted through the secondary cargo support176 to provide additional structure for strapping down cargo and/orseparating cargo. As illustrated in FIGS. 20, 22, and 24, the loaddividers 190 may be used to separate and secure two kayaks. The loaddividers 190 may include an elongated metal divider and a set bolt forlocking the divider 190 in place. When the cargo racks 172 are beingused for travel or the housing 14 is in camping mode, the load dividers190 may be inserted such that the divider 190 protrudes upward throughthe secondary cargo support 176. When the cargo racks 172 are not beingused and the housing 14 is in travel mode, the load dividers 190 may beinserted such that the metal extensions protrude downward through thesecondary cargo support 176.

It is foreseen that any element, part, and/or component associated withthe lower housing 44 may instead be associated with the upper housing 46and vice-versa. It is also foreseen that any element, part, and/orcomponent associated with an exterior part of the housing 14 may insteadbe associated with an interior part of the housing 14 and vice versa. Itis further foreseen that any element, part, and/or component that isassociated with a particular wall may alternatively be associated withany of the other walls.

A method for securing and adjusting the housing 14 on the trailer 12will now be described. The steps of the method may be performed in theorder as described, or they may be performed in a different order.Furthermore, some steps may be performed concurrently as opposed tosequentially. In addition, some steps may not be performed. The housing14 may be positioned above the trailer 12 such that the tabs 54 of thehousing 14, the friction-reducing members 50, and the slots 48 of thetrailer 12 are vertically aligned. The housing 14 may then be placed onthe friction-reducing members 50 and/or the trailer 12. Once the housing14 is on the friction-reducing members 50, the housing 14 may beadjusted with respect to the trailer 12 such that the housing 14 and thefriction reducing members 50 are configured to slide forward toward thefront end 18 of the frame 16 and slide back towards the back end 20 ofthe frame 16. The housing 14 may be secured to the friction-reducingmembers 50 and trailer 12 by fastening a fastener, e.g. a bolt, throughthe aperture 56 of the tab 54, through the aperture 52 of the frictionreducing members 50 and through the slot 48 of the trailer 12. Theconcept of sliding the housing 14 on the trailer 12 provides a number ofbenefits which include distributing the weight of the housing 14 on thetrailer 12, stabilizing the housing 14 on the trailer 12, and/orcreating more room for other goods or housing components near the frontend 18 or back end 20 of the trailer 12.

Although the invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment(s), it is noted that equivalents may be employedand substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of theinvention. Thus, the invention described herein is entitled to thoseequivalents and substitutions that perform substantially the samefunction in substantially the same way.

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includesthe following:

What is claimed is:
 1. A transportable housing system comprising: alower housing; an upper housing vertically shiftable relative to saidlower housing, wherein said upper housing is vertically shiftablebetween a lowered position and a raised position; one or more supportstructures associated with said upper housing and shiftable in and outof a support configuration, wherein said support structures areconfigured to be shifted to the support configuration when said upperhousing is shifted from the lowered position to the raised position, andwherein in the support configuration said support structures areconfigured to support said upper housing in the raised position; and anactuator connected to said support structures and configured todisengage said support structures from the support configuration and topermit lowering of said upper housing.
 2. The system according to claim1, wherein said actuator comprises a lever and is configured tofacilitate disengagement of said support structures.
 3. The systemaccording to claim 2, wherein said actuator comprises a linkage systemconnected to the lever and to the support structures, said linkagesystem being configured to push or pull said support structures todisengage said support structures from the support configuration.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 3, wherein said lower housing includes a firstset of one or more notches for engaging unattached ends of said supportstructures when in the support configuration, and wherein the linkagesystem pushes or pulls said unattached ends of said support structures.5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a hydraulicsystem for shifting said upper housing from the lowered position to theraised position.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein when saidlinkage system is configured to push or pull said unattached ends ofsaid support structures toward said hydraulic system.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 2, wherein said lever is positioned outside of saidupper housing.
 8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising arod connecting two of said support structures and configured to causethe two of said support structures to disengage from the supportconfiguration in unison.
 9. A transportable housing system comprising: alower housing; an upper housing vertically shiftable relative to saidlower housing, wherein said upper housing is vertically shiftablebetween a lowered position and a raised position; one or more supportstructures associated with said upper housing and shiftable in and outof a support configuration, wherein said support structures areconfigured to be shifted to the support configuration when said upperhousing is shifted from the lowered position to the raised position, andwherein in the support configuration said support structures areconfigured to support said upper housing in the raised position; and anactuator comprising— a lever, and a linkage system connecting saidsupport structures to said lever, wherein actuation of said lever causessaid linkage system to disengage said support structures from thesupport configuration to permit lowering of said upper housing.
 10. Thesystem according to claim 9, further comprising a hydraulic system forshifting said upper housing from the lowered position to the raisedposition.
 11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said lever ispositioned outside of said upper housing.
 12. The system according toclaim 9, wherein one or more friction-reducing member is attached tosaid lower housing or said upper housing to reduce friction between saidlower housing and said upper housing when said upper housing shiftsrelative to said lower housing.
 13. A transportable housing systemcomprising: a lower housing; an upper housing vertically shiftablerelative to said lower housing, wherein said upper housing is verticallyshiftable between a lowered position and a raised position; one or moresupport structures associated with said upper housing and shiftable inand out of a support configuration, wherein said support structures areconfigured to be shifted to the support configuration when said upperhousing is shifted from the lowered position to the raised position, andwherein in the support configuration said support structures areconfigured to support said upper housing in the raised position; and anactuator associated with said support structures and configured to pushor pull said support structures to disengage said support structuresfrom the support configuration in order to permit lowering of said upperhousing.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said lowerhousing includes a first set of one or more notches for engaging saidsupport structures when in the support configuration.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein said lower housing includes a second setof one or more notches configured for engaging said support structureswhen said upper housing is intermediately positioned between the raisedposition and the lowered position.
 16. The system according to claim 13,wherein said support structures are hingedly attached to an interior ofsaid upper housing and are configured to rotate in and out of thesupport configuration.
 17. The system according to claim 16, whereinsaid actuator comprises a lever and is configured to facilitate rotationof said support structures.
 18. The system according to claim 17,wherein said lever is positioned outside of said upper housing.
 19. Thesystem according to claim 13, wherein said support structures are notconfigured to support said upper housing when said upper housing is inthe lowered position.
 20. The system according to claim 13, furthercomprising a hydraulic system for shifting said upper housing from thelowered position to the raised position.